Nursing Elites

1. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which of the following interventions is most important?

• A. Encouraging the patient to stop smoking.
• B. Administering bronchodilators.
• C. Monitoring oxygen saturation.
• D. Providing nutritional support.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Monitoring oxygen saturation is the most important intervention in a patient with COPD because it helps assess the adequacy of oxygenation. In COPD, patients often have compromised lung function, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. Monitoring oxygen saturation allows healthcare providers to promptly identify and address any potential hypoxemia, which is vital in managing COPD exacerbations. While encouraging the patient to stop smoking (Choice A) is critical for long-term management, monitoring oxygen saturation takes precedence in the immediate care of a COPD patient. Administering bronchodilators (Choice B) and providing nutritional support (Choice D) are important aspects of managing COPD but are secondary to monitoring oxygen saturation, which directly impacts the patient's oxygenation status.

2. After confirming that liquids are allowed, which assessment action should the nurse consider a priority for a client who is fully awake after a gastroscopy?

• A. Listen to bilateral lung and bowel sounds.
• B. Obtain the client's pulse and blood pressure.
• C. Assist the client to the bathroom to void.
• D. Check the client's gag and swallow reflexes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a gastroscopy, it is crucial for the nurse to prioritize checking the client's gag and swallow reflexes before allowing them to drink anything. This is because the effects of local anesthesia need to dissipate, and the airway's protective reflexes, including the gag and swallow reflexes, must have returned to prevent aspiration. Listening to lung and bowel sounds (Choice A) may be important but does not take precedence over ensuring the client's safety post-gastroscopy. Obtaining the client's pulse and blood pressure (Choice B) is also important but not the priority in this scenario. Assisting the client to the bathroom to void (Choice C) is a routine nursing action and is not directly related to the immediate safety concern of checking the client's gag and swallow reflexes post-gastroscopy.

3. A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a nephrostomy. Which assessment findings should alert the nurse to urgently contact the healthcare provider? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Foul-smelling drainage
• B. Bloody drainage at site
• C. A & B
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After a nephrostomy, the nurse should assess the client for complications and urgently notify the provider if there is foul-smelling drainage, bloody drainage at the site, or both. Foul-smelling drainage can indicate infection, while bloody drainage may suggest bleeding. Clear drainage is generally normal after a nephrostomy. A headache would not typically be directly related to nephrostomy complications. Therefore, options A and B are correct choices for urgent notification, making option C the correct answer.

4. A client is scheduled for a barium swallow (esophagography) in 2 days. The nurse, providing preprocedure instructions, should tell the client to:

• A. Eat a regular supper and breakfast
• B. Remove all metal and jewelry before the test
• C. Expect diarrhea for a few days after the procedure
• D. Take all oral medications as scheduled with milk on the day of the test

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Remove all metal and jewelry before the test.' Before a barium swallow procedure, the client should fast for 8 to 12 hours to ensure the stomach and intestines are empty for optimal visualization. Removing all metal and jewelry is essential to prevent any interference with x-ray imaging. Choice A is incorrect because the client should fast, not eat supper and breakfast, before the test. Choice C is incorrect as diarrhea is not an expected outcome of a barium swallow. Choice D is incorrect as the client should not take any oral medications with milk on the day of the test to ensure accurate test results.

5. The healthcare professional assesses a client with petechiae and ecchymosis scattered across the arms and legs. Which laboratory results should the healthcare professional review?

• A. Red blood cell count
• B. Platelet count
• C. Hemoglobin levels
• D. White blood cell count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The platelet count is the most appropriate laboratory result to review in a client presenting with petechiae and ecchymosis. Petechiae and ecchymosis are indicative of potential bleeding issues, which can be caused by low platelet count or impaired platelet function. Platelets are essential for clotting, and a low platelet count can lead to bleeding disorders. Reviewing the platelet count will provide valuable information about the client's clotting ability. Choice A, red blood cell count, is not typically associated with petechiae and ecchymosis. Hemoglobin levels (Choice C) are more related to anemia than bleeding disorders like thrombocytopenia. White blood cell count (Choice D) is not directly linked to the presence of petechiae and ecchymosis, which are more specific to platelet-related issues.

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